Improving the access of young urban children to speech, language and hearing screening via telehealth

Abstract

We studied the feasibility of low-cost videoconferencing (using Skype) in urban community health clinics for speech, language and hearing screening of children up to six years of age. During a two-year study, screening services were provided via videoconferencing at two community clinics in an inner city area of Cleveland, Ohio. In total, 411 screenings were completed. Of these, 358 children (87%) received hearing screenings, 377 (92%) received tympanometry screening and 263 (64%) received speech and language screening only. A total of 151 children were aged three years or under (37%). The reliability of pure tone hearing screening ( n = 7), DPOAE screening ( n = 51) and speech-language screening ( n = 10) was 100%. Typanometry screenings ( n = 55) were 84% reliable. Families reported a high level of satisfaction with both the technology and with the videoconferencing. The results indicate that low-cost videoconferencing for screening of speech, language and hearing development in very young children in urban community health clinics is feasible, reliable and strongly supported by the community.